Authenticity at Work: The High Cost of Faking It

Authenticity at Work: The High Cost of Faking It

Hey fellow GradX'ers! If you’ve ever felt like you have to tone yourself down to survive at work, you’re not imagining it. The pressure to “act professional” often means hiding parts of who we are. And it’s burning people out.

The Hidden Mental Toll of “Covering”

Let’s talk about the silent norm nobody put in the handbook: the expectation to blend in.

A Deloitte study found that 61% of employees “cover” aspects of their identity at work—downplaying personal traits to conform to unwritten workplace rules. The numbers are even higher for marginalized groups:

• 83% of LGBTQ+ professionals

• 79% of Black employees

Worse? 40% believe their managers expect them to cover. Only 35% felt safe enough to be fully themselves this past year .

This isn’t about isolated experiences. It’s systemic.

Burnout, Belonging, and Why This Matters

The mental health fallout is real:

• 85% of LGBTQ+ professionals in the UK change their appearance, voice, or behavior at work to avoid discrimination .

• Employees who feel they don’t belong are 59% more likely to quit over mental health concerns.

• 83% of Gen Z frontline workers report burnout, the highest of any generation .

So if you’ve ever felt exhausted from “performing” professionalism, you’re not alone. The culture of conformity is draining — and it’s keeping brilliant people stuck.

“Professionalism” Isn’t Neutral

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: what many workplaces call “professionalism” is often just bias dressed up in a blazer.

We’re taught that “looking the part” means:

• Softening accents.

• Flattening your tone.

• Avoiding “too personal” topics like race or identity.

• Dressing in a way that doesn’t draw attention.

In reality, these are white, neurotypical, upper-middle-class norms—standards never designed to include everyone .

The pressure to code-switch or mask who you are isn’t just annoying. It’s corrosive. Over time, filtering your personality can erode confidence, identity, and even creativity.

So… How Do You Stay Authentic Without Getting Penalized?

Let’s be real. “Just be yourself” is a cute slogan until your paycheck depends on not rocking the boat. But there are ways to stay grounded and real — even in rigid environments.

Here’s your Gradxiety guide to doing just that:

1. Read the room first

Check the vibe before you unmask. Are others being real and still getting respect? If not, proceed cautiously. Authenticity doesn’t mean ignoring risk.

2. Pick your non-negotiables

You don’t have to overshare. Choose which parts of your identity matter most — your values, your background, your voice — and stand firm on those.

3. Talk like a real person

You don’t need to sound like a press release to be taken seriously. Let your voice reflect your truth. Clarity > corporate jargon.

4. Find your people

Even in buttoned-up places, someone gets it. Build micro-communities of trust, even if it’s just a coworker or two.

5. Know when to bounce

If you’re constantly erasing yourself to survive? That job is erasing your future. It’s okay to walk — that’s not quitting, that’s choosing your worth.

✨ Final Thoughts: It’s Not You. It’s the System.

At Gradxiety, we believe that professionalism shouldn’t mean pretending. It should mean showing up prepared, respectful, and as yourself.Because when grads feel like they can only succeed by hiding who they are, that’s not progress — that’s a red flag. And we’re here to change that narrative .

Let’s build careers where authenticity isn’t a liability — it’s your greatest asset.

🛠 Need a starting point? Take our ​FREE Gradx Assessment​ or join our ​LinkedIn​ page to connect with others walking the same road.

We see you. And we’re with you.

– The Gradxiety Team